Exercise for ADHD in College Students

Overseen By Cynthia M Hartung, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wyoming

Must not be taking: Sedatives, Antipsychotics

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Non-ambulatory, Stroke, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

48 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether physical exercise can help college students with ADHD improve focus and memory. Participants will engage in sprint interval training (short bursts of intense cycling) to assess its effects on attention and working memory. The goal is to identify an effective, low-risk alternative to medication or therapy. Students with ADHD attending the University of Wyoming or Laramie County Community College may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new ADHD treatment options.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes participants using medications that negatively affect cognitive performance, like sedatives or antipsychotics. If you're on such medications, you may need to stop taking them to participate.

What prior data suggests that Sprint Interval Training is safe for college students with ADHD?

Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), including sprint interval training (SIT), is generally safe. Studies indicate that HIIT can enhance both mental and physical health without causing sudden injuries. For instance, one study found no significant negative effects from HIIT, suggesting it is well-tolerated.

Another study focused on children with ADHD found that HIIT improved certain health and fitness measures. This suggests that SIT, a type of HIIT, could be a low-risk way to help manage ADHD symptoms. While more research is needed, current findings suggest that SIT is a safe and promising method for enhancing focus and memory in college students with ADHD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about sprint interval training (SIT) for ADHD in college students because it offers a non-pharmaceutical approach to managing symptoms. Unlike traditional ADHD treatments that often rely on medications like stimulants, SIT is a form of high-intensity exercise that can potentially enhance attention and working memory. The quick bursts of intense activity followed by rest periods may help improve cognitive functions more rapidly than conventional methods. Plus, it promotes overall physical fitness, making it a holistic option for students seeking alternative ways to manage their ADHD symptoms.

What evidence suggests that Sprint Interval Training is effective for ADHD?

Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), such as sprint interval training, can improve attention problems in people with ADHD, particularly children. One study found that after HIIT, participants thought faster and responded more consistently, addressing common ADHD challenges. Another study found that HIIT surpassed moderate exercise in enhancing attention. These findings suggest that short bursts of intense exercise could help college students with ADHD focus better and improve memory. While more research is needed, early evidence supports sprint interval training, which participants in this trial will undergo, as a promising method for managing ADHD symptoms. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Cynthia M Hartung, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Wyoming

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for college students aged 18-29 at the University of Wyoming or Laramie County Community College who have ADHD. It's not for those with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, pregnant women, people who can't walk without help, those told by a doctor to avoid exercise, anyone with conditions like heart disease that make exercise risky, or if they're on meds that affect thinking.

Inclusion Criteria

University of Wyoming (UW) or Laramie County Community College (LCCC) student.

Exclusion Criteria

You primarily have hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD, which is uncommon in adults.

Pregnancy or trying to become pregnant.

Non-ambulatory or relying on walking aids for ambulation.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Experimental Appointments

Participants attend two in-lab experimental appointments for sprint interval training (SIT) and Non-SIT, completing cognitive tasks and questionnaires.

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive performance and mood through questionnaires completed the day after each experimental appointment.

2 weeks

Remote follow-up via text and email

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sprint Interval Training

Trial Overview The study tests how sprint interval training (SIT) affects attention and memory in students with ADHD compared to non-ADHD peers. The idea is that SIT might improve cognitive functions right after exercising. Participants will be divided into groups based on having ADHD or not, gender, and whether they exercised or didn't.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Sprint Interval Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be scheduled for two in-lab experimental appointments: sprint interval training (SIT) and Non-SIT. During the SIT appointment, the researcher will lead the participant through a set of stretches and three minutes of low-intensity cycling on a Schwinn AD2 Airdyne leg-cycling and arm-cranking ergometer to warm up and increase blood flow to active muscles. Participants will then complete 16 minutes of SIT, consisting of eight bouts of 20 seconds of cycling followed by 100 seconds of rest. Participants will complete computer-based tests of sustained attention and working memory during both the SIT (15 minutes following the exercise) and Non-SIT appointments.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wyoming

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

1,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Physical activity interventions significantly improve ADHD-related symptoms, particularly inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, emotional problems, and behavioral issues, based on a meta-analysis of 23 studies involving 394 participants.

Different types of physical activities are beneficial for specific symptoms: closed motor skills help with hyperactivity/impulsivity, while open motor skills are more effective for attention problems, indicating that tailored physical activity programs could enhance treatment for ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Physical Activity Intervention on ADHD Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Xie, Y., Gao, X., Song, Y., et al.[2023]

In a study of 86 male college students, a significant relationship was found between ADHD symptoms and lower health-related physical fitness, particularly in areas like muscular strength and endurance.

Students with lower muscular strength and higher abdominal fat showed increased risk factors for ADHD tendencies, suggesting that improving physical fitness may help mitigate some ADHD-related challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and health-related physical fitness in university students. Jeoung, BJ.[2020]

A study involving 28 boys with ADHD showed that multimodal therapy including supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly improved motor skills and aspects of quality of life compared to standard therapy.

HIIT not only enhanced physical fitness by increasing peak power and reducing oxygen uptake but also positively impacted self-esteem and attention, demonstrating its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for boys with ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multimodal Therapy Involving High-Intensity Interval Training Improves the Physical Fitness, Motor Skills, Social Behavior, and Quality of Life of Boys With ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Study. Meßler, CF., Holmberg, HC., Sperlich, B.[2019]

Exercise is a promising adjunctive therapy for ADHD, showing small to moderate beneficial effects on cognitive functions, particularly executive functions, in children with ADHD after acute aerobic exercise.

While there is evidence supporting the positive impact of exercise on cognitive performance in both children with and without ADHD, more large-scale clinical trials are needed to determine the most effective exercise parameters.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: Potential Mechanisms and Evidence-based Recommendations. Christiansen, L., Beck, MM., Bilenberg, N., et al.[2020]

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) led to significant acute improvements in executive functioning, ADHD symptoms, and mood among college students with ADHD, compared to those without ADHD, indicating its potential as an effective intervention.

The study suggests that HIIT can be a beneficial addition to existing treatments for ADHD, as it promotes both physical and mental health with a low risk of negative effects, although further research is needed to explore its long-term benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive and Psychological Functioning in College Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. LaCount, PA., Hartung, CM., Vasko, JM., et al.[2023]

A single 20-minute session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improved attention and processing accuracy in preadolescent children with ADHD, as well as in healthy control children, compared to seated reading.

Following exercise, children with ADHD showed enhanced regulatory processes and better performance in reading and arithmetic, suggesting that exercise can positively impact neurocognitive function and inhibitory control in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise improves behavioral, neurocognitive, and scholastic performance in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pontifex, MB., Saliba, BJ., Raine, LB., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 12 children (6 with ADHD and 6 without), specially designed 40-minute exercise sessions significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD, showing a moderate to large effect size over 11 weeks.

All children found the exercise sessions enjoyable, indicating that engaging and inclusive physical activities can help manage ADHD symptoms while being fun for all participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Exercise Program Designed for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for Use in School Physical Education: Feasibility and Utility. Taylor, A., Novo, D., Foreman, D.[2023]

Individuals with ADHD showed improved attention during physical exercise, with faster reaction times and fewer omission errors compared to their performance at rest, suggesting that exercise may enhance attentional processes in this group.

In contrast, healthy controls performed worse on attention tasks while exercising, indicating that physical activity may have different effects on attentional processes depending on the presence of ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attention Improves During Physical Exercise in Individuals With ADHD. Rassovsky, Y., Alfassi, T.[2020]

Animal studies strongly suggest that physical exercise can improve brain development and neurobehavioral functioning in children with ADHD.

Research in typically developing children and adults also shows that exercise positively affects neurocognitive functions, supporting the idea that structured physical exercise could be an effective intervention for children with ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthy body, healthy mind?: the effectiveness of physical activity to treat ADHD in children. Halperin, JM., Berwid, OG., O'Neill, S.[2021]

Chronic aerobic physical activity (PA) shows preliminary evidence of benefiting ADHD symptoms, executive function, and motor abilities in children and youth, suggesting it could be a helpful addition to treatment plans.

However, the current research is not robust enough to recommend PA as a standalone treatment for ADHD, indicating a need for further studies to strengthen the evidence base.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Physical Activity to Manage ADHD Symptoms:The State of the Evidence. Hoza, B., Martin, CP., Pirog, A., et al.[2018]

Cardio exercise has been shown to have both acute and chronic benefits for children with ADHD, improving executive functions, response times, and various physical measures, making it a promising treatment option.

While non-cardio exercise also appears to have positive effects, the evidence is less clear, highlighting the need for more well-controlled studies to fully understand the impact of different types of exercise on ADHD in both children and adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sweat it out? The effects of physical exercise on cognition and behavior in children and adults with ADHD: a systematic literature review. Den Heijer, AE., Groen, Y., Tucha, L., et al.[2023]

In children with ADHD who are treated with medications, lower levels of physical activity (PA) were associated with improved cognitive and behavioral outcomes, suggesting that medication may influence the relationship between PA and these outcomes.

For untreated children with ADHD, higher levels of PA were positively associated with better cognitive and behavioral outcomes, indicating that physical activity could be beneficial for this group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced Physical Activity Improves Selected Outcomes in Children With ADHD: Systematic Review. Song, M., Lauseng, D., Lee, S., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39920369/

Comparative effects of moderate-intensity continuous ... High-intensity interval training (HIIT) demonstrated superior benefits over MICT in improving attention deficits in children with ADHD.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03666416

Acute Effects of Exercise in College Students With ADHD The overall objective of this study is to examine physical exercise as an intervention for ADHD. The rationale for the proposed study is that physical ...

3. ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-023-01421-5

High-intensity interval training in children and adolescents ... This study aimed to examine HIIT as a means of improving key health and fitness parameters in children and adolescents with SEN.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9017792/

Acute Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive and ... We found that the degree of improvement on ADHD and depressive symptomatology, as well as processing speed and response variability following HIIT was ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S144024402300083X

Acute effects of intense interval versus aerobic exercise on ... A single bout of high-intensity interval training has facilitating effects on the processing speed involving inhibitory control in preadolescent children.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032719317458

Can high intensity interval training improve health ... HIIT may improve mental and physical health in people with mental illnesses. · HIIT appears to be safe and does not seem to be associated with acute injuries.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157174/

High-Intensity Interval Training upon Cognitive and ... Another study [22] reported a positive small effect of HIIT (12 weeks, 2 sessions/week of HIIT, >85% HRmax, work-to-rest 20 s:40 s to 40 s:20 s) ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/338350940_Effect_of_high-intensity_interval_training_on_clinical_and_laboratory_parameters_of_adolescents_with_attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder

Effect of high-intensity interval training on clinical and ... The effects of exercise on children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were evaluated by studying the rate of spontaneous eye blinks, the ...